The Thursday Murder Club cast: Who stars in the Netflix film?

Netflix’s anticipated adaptation of Richard Osman’s popular book, “The Thursday Murder Club,” is generating a lot of buzz, and now the streaming platform has shared some thrilling new details about it.

In addition to announcing that the movie will be released exclusively on the streaming service in August 2025, they also revealed character information about certain supporting actors, such as David Tennant.

Drawing inspiration from Osman’s novel, the movie unfolds in a serene retirement community where a quartet of senior friends – Elizabeth (played by Helen Mirren), Joyce (Celia Imrie), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), and Ron (Pierce Brosnan) – engage in light-hearted detective work, tackling old unsolved mysteries for amusement.

Yet, when a property developer unfortunately meets an untimely demise, these four individuals suddenly find themselves right smack in the midst of their inaugural real-life criminal investigation.

Previously, Osman expressed his feelings about the adaptation when it was first announced in April: “I’m so proud of this book, and it’s a dream come true to see The Thursday Murder Club under such capable management. From Chris Columbus to Amblin to Netflix, everywhere I look there are brilliant minds at work. And what an amazing cast! I can hardly believe it.

Curious about which famous faces bring the Netflix film to life? Delve into the details below as I share what we currently know about the star-studded cast.

The Thursday Murder Club cast: Who stars in the Netflix film alongside Helen Mirren?

The confirmed cast members so far are as follows:

Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best
Pierce Brosnan as Ron Ritchie
Sir Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim Arif
Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft
Naomi Ackie as Donna de Freitas
Jonathan Pryce as Stephen Best
David Tennant as Ian Ventham
Daniel Mays as DCI Chris Hudson
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Bogdan Jankowski
Geoff Bell as Tony Curran
Richard E Grant as TBC
Tom Ellis as TBC
Paul Freeman as TBC
Sarah Niles as TBC
Ingrid Oliver as TBC

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and who they’re playing.

Helen Mirren plays Elizabeth Best

Who is Elizabeth Best? She’s a former spy, now residing at a retirement home, and also the founder of the Thursday Murder Club.

Has Helen Mirren appeared in any other notable productions? Besides The Long Good Friday, Excalibur, 2010, Gosford Park, The Queen, and Hitchcock, she has graced our screens in various iconic movies. Her acting career began in the late 60s, but it was Age of Consent in 1969 that launched her to stardom. Over the years, she’s also taken home Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes.

Pierce Brosnan plays Ron Ritchie

Who is Ron Ritchie? Ron is a former union activist and member of the Thursday Murder Club.

Have I encountered Pierce Brosnan anywhere other than his James Bond roles?

Sir Ben Kingsley plays Ibrahim Arif

Who is Ibrahim Arif? An ex-psychiatrist and another member of the Thursday Murder Club.

Besides the mentioned films like Jules, Shutter Island, Iron Man 3, and Sexy Beast, Sir Ben Kingsley has also graced the screen in other productions throughout his career.

Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft

Who is Joyce Meadowcroft? An ex-nurse and the newest member of the Thursday Murder Club.

Have you seen Celia Imrie in any other productions aside from Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, St Trinian’s, Nanny McPhee, and Calendar Girls? Her acting career also includes roles in TV series such as After You’ve Gone, Patrick Melrose, Keeping Faith, Better Things, and The Diplomat.

Naomi Ackie plays Donna de Freitas

Who is Donna de Freitas? In Osman’s novel, Donna is a policewoman.

Have you watched any of these shows or movies featuring Naomi Ackie? She’s been in Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, BBC One’s Small Axe, Netflix’s The End of the Fing World (which earned her a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress), and the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody where she played the lead role.

Jonathan Pryce plays Stephen Best

Who is Stephen Best? Elisabeth’s husband.

Have you encountered Jonathan Pryce in any other movies or shows? This versatile actor is best known for his roles in films like Brazil, Pirates of the Caribbean series, Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Age of Innocence, and The Two Popes, among others. He’s also made a name for himself on television, particularly as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the latter seasons of The Crown.

David Tennant plays Ian Ventham

Who is Ian Ventham? The dodgy owner of retirement village Coopers Chase.

Have you watched David Tennant in any other shows or movies? He is most recognized for his portrayal as the Tenth (and now Fourteenth) Doctor in “Doctor Who,” but he has also appeared in many other productions like “Good Omens” on Amazon, “Broadchurch,” “Deadwater Fell,” “Criminal” on Netflix, “Casanova,” “Jessica Jones” as Kilgrave, the movie “Mary Queen of Scots,” “Inside Man,” “The Sandman,” “Litvinenko,” and “There She Goes.

Daniel Mays plays DCI Chris Hudson

Who is DCI Chris Hudson? Chris is a detective who gets drawn into The Thursday Murder Club.

Have you recognized Daniel Mays from somewhere? He gained popularity playing Kat Slater’s boyfriend Kevin on EastEnders back in 2000. Since then, he has had a prosperous acting career and can be seen in shows like Line of Duty, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Ashes to Ashes, and White Lines.

Henry Lloyd-Hughes plays Bogdan Jankowski

Who is Bogdan Jankowski? Bogdan becomes Ian’s right-hand man in The Thursday Murder Club.

Have you ever watched The Inbetweeners? If so, you might remember Henry Lloyd-Hughes playing the part of the bald school bully, Mark Donovan. Additionally, he’s been seen in other productions such as Parade’s End and ITV’s The Long Shadow. So, have you possibly come across him elsewhere too?

Richard E Grant plays Tony Curran

Who is Tony Curran? A builder and Ian’s right-hand man who’s on the verge of being sacked.

Have I encountered Richard E Grant in any other films besides the ones I mentioned? Some of his most notable roles include Withnail & I, Gosford Park, The Iron Lady, Jackie, Logan, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Lesson, Saltburn and Argylle. He has also made appearances in series like Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Loki, Suspect, and The Outlaws.

Tom Ellis plays TBC

Have I come across Tom Ellis in any other roles aside from Lucifer and Gary in Miranda? He is also recognized for his parts in Vera Drake, EastEnders, Doctor Who, Merlin, Players, and Exploding Kittens.

Geoff Bell plays TBC

Have I encountered Geoff Bell in any other productions apart from Stardust, RocknRolla, Top Boy, War Horse, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Suffragette, Rogue One, His Dark Materials, The Curse, or Death in Paradise?

Paul Freeman plays TBC

Have I encountered Paul Freeman anywhere else aside from these movies – Raider of the Lost Ark, Hot Fuzz, The Long Good Friday, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, Monarch of the Glen, A Very English Scandal, Absentia and The Man Who Fell to Earth?

Sarah Niles plays TBC

Have you spotted Sarah Niles anywhere else, given that she’s well-known for her character Dr Sharon from Ted Lasso, and has also been featured on Peep Show, Doctor Who, Death in Paradise, Catastrophe, Dracula, Trying, I May Destroy You, The Sandman, and Riches?

Ingrid Oliver plays TBC

Have I encountered Ingrid Oliver elsewhere in my television viewing? Besides being Richard Osman’s wife, she portrays Osgood in Doctor Who, and is famous for her partnership with Lorna Watson in Watson & Oliver. She has additionally appeared in Peep Show, Silent Witness, The Hustle, Last Christmas, Beyond Paradise, and Father Brown.

2025-08-22 16:09